An emotional PM Julia Gillard with Minister for Higher Education and the government leader in the Senate Chris Evans and Attorney-General Nicola Roxon at a press conference in Parliament House, Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Limited

JULIA Gillard wept as two of her senior ministers quit politics yesterday, insisting the pair was not deserting a sinking ship.

But senior Labor sources predicted more resignations would follow before the next election as Ms Gillard hinted the Speaker may choose to delay any resulting by-elections until September 14, the date of the federal election.

The Prime Minister announced the departure of Nicola Roxon and Senator Leader Chris Evans yesterday in a reshuffle that shocked the ALP caucus.

But she insisted the surprise announcement was all part of a long-planned political strategy, just three days after she announced the date of the federal election.

"I believe this is the team for the next election," she said.

Senator Evans' departure as Senate leader will trigger a leadership ballot when Parliament resumes unless a deal can be struck to install Gillard loyalists Stephen Conroy with Penny Wong as his deputy.

Wong has indicated to party chiefs she would not seek the Senate leadership.

But Rudd backer Kim Carr was also floated as a potential candidate yesterday. Asked whether this was a government in chaos, Ms Gillard replied: "Well, why on earth would anyone say that ?"

"Around 12 months ago, Nicola (Roxon) and Chris (Evans) both came to me to talk about what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives," she said. "We agreed that at the right time they would relinquish their ministerial roles and I would make new appointments to the ministry."

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the federal government appeared to be in a state of chaos. "Now I hope the Prime Minister can steady her ship and offer stable government," Mr Abbott said.

The Prime Minister moved Rudd backer and Immigration Minister Chris Bowen sideways to higher education, insisting it was not a demotion, and promoted Victorian Mark Dreyfus to Attorney-General and NSW's Jason Clare to cabinet. Underlining the political importance of western Sydney in the looming poll, she said there were "concerns around the nation, including in western Sydney, on questions of community safety", including gun-related crime, and Mr Clare would lead the efforts to tackle the problem.

In an olive branch to Rudd supporters Ms Gillard promoted several junior MPs who voted against her in last year's leadership ballot, including Melissa Parke and Mike Kelly.

One of her most loyal supporters, Victorian Brendan O'Connor, will take on the immigration portfolio, which has become a poisoned chalice.

The Prime Minister said she hoped this would be the team that took Labor to the next election but couldn't promise there would not be further changes if someone unexpectedly quit for health or family reasons."I can't wish away the real world ... but this is the team I intend to take to the next election," she said.

Former Labor frontbencher Robert McClelland's application for a $250,000 judicial post would be decided next month, according to NSW government sources, and he was likely to secure the post.

But if he quits, the Liberal Party is convinced the Labor Party may seek to encourage the Speaker to delay any by-election until September 14.

Liberal frontbencher Chris Pyne said there was "absolutely no doubt" Ms Gillard called the election early to open the possibility of not calling by-elections if she lost Craig Thomson, Robert McClelland, Peter Slipper or a member of the ALP caucus.

"It would be unacceptable and undemocratic, and the Rafferty's rules you expect to see imposed by factional bovver boys," Mr Pyne said.

Victorian Labor sources also scotched suggestions Ms Roxon's departure could clear the way for Labor Senator David Feeney to be parachuted to the House of Representatives in her safe Labor seat of Gellibrand.

The source predicted others would also choose to quit politics - perhaps providing an opening for Senator Feeney.

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